Gamecock summer newcomers could help shape offense
March 15, 2020 / GCF Staff Report
Facing a question about the identity of his offense, new South Carolina coordinator Mike Bobo pointed to a roadblock in figuring that out. Not everyone is in the mix yet and will be late summer before the Gamecocks offense takes shape.
The Gamecocks were going through spring practice see coronavirus (COVID-19) without two freshman tight ends, two freshman wide receivers and a pair of running backs who’ve all yet to enroll. To hear Bobo’s tone, it sounded as if he expects those players to have impacts on their respective rotations. He flat out said he expects those newcomers to “shape” the identity at the skill positions. They’ll all be on campus this summer. (VIEW ARTICLE)

Jordan Burch
Erik Kimrey details what Gamecocks are getting in Jordan Burch (AUDIO)
Feb. 11, 2020, | sportstalk
The process was drawn out a little longer than expected, but USC still came away with the big in-state recruiting prize last week when DL Jordan Burch of Hammond School signed with the Gamecocks. The five-star prospect at one point was ranked the #1 player in the country in the 247Sports composite before finishing with a #8 ranking.
The end to his recruiting process perhaps left some Gamecock supporters with a negative attitude toward Burch. Monday night his coach Erik Kimrey joined us on SportsTalk and gave us a detailed look into Jordan Burch the football player and what the Gamecocks will be getting for their defensive line.
Erik Kimrey on Sportstalk

There is officially a new defensive line coach at Carolina.
Longtime SEC assistant Tracy Rocker had his contract approved on Friday morning by the University of South Carolina's Board of Trustees.
With more than 20 years in the coaching profession, Rocker has had stops at Arkansas, Auburn, Georgia, Ole Miss, and Tennessee. He was also the defensive line coach for three years in Nashville with the Tennessee Titans.
"Tracy has great experience playing and coaching in the Southeastern Conference," Muschamp said.
"I've tried to hire him before and am glad we were finally able to get him to Columbia and be a Gamecock. He's had great success in this league in developing defensive linemen and has coached a lot of guys who have played in the NFL, which is the goal for many of our players."
A two-time All-American at Auburn, Rocker won the 1988 Outland Trophy and Lombardi Award. He was the first SEC player to earn both awards. He was named SEC Player of the Year following his senior season in 1988 and spent two years in the NFL before a knee injury cut short his career.
Rocker replaces John Scott, Junior who left to take a job on the Penn State staff. He reportedly agreed to a two-year contract through December 31, 2021, that will pay him $525,000 a season.

Report saying Gamecocks set to hire two from Tennessee staff & what we know about them
Feb. 10, 2020
The Gamecocks are reportedly staying within the Nick Saban coaching tree when searching for replacements. VolQuest, the Tennessee Rivals site, reported Drew Hughes will join South Carolina’s staff to replace Matt Lindsey as a director of player personnel. Lindsey has not left yet, but is reportedly headed to Ole Miss and will stay on for the transition. (VIEW ARTICLE)

Ask this question because the life blood of a program is recruiting. Saying that Boom has really put together a top 20 class that after tomorrow signing could propel them to 17th or 18th in the recruiting rankings. Most coaches on a hot seat would not be able to maintain what Boom has accomplished in recruiting this year. Wins on the field is the key for Muschamp to remove the Hot seat title. Question can he do the removal before seasons end? The quicker he can his recruiting only will get even better. Say he wins 5 out of the first 6 games, only lose to Florida win over Tennessee. Good enough to jump of the hot seat? or need more to show?
Second have going to be murderers row:
10/24 Texas A&M
10/31 at Vanderbilt
11/7 Georgia
11/14 at LSU
11/21 wofford
11/28 at Clemson
Highlighted best case wins would mean 7-5. Would you say complete off Hot seat or go coach hunting. What ever needed, do it fast either way because the lifeblood of the program the recruiting wars will be lost.

From ‘a happy shock’ to calmness, Huntley glad to have Burch in the fold at USC
Feb. 08, 2020
Like most South Carolina football fans, Alex Huntley got the news he hoped for Thursday night.
That’s when USC announced that Jordan Burch, Huntley’s teammate at Hammond and future college teammate, was officially going to be part of the Gamecock football program.
“Jordan Burch is officially a Gamecock!” USC football’s Twitter page posted at 8:47 p.m. Thursday. The announcement ended more than a month of speculation surrounding Burch and his future. (VIEW ARTICLE) THE STATE

With ‘scary’ rising talent, Gamecock veterans see the potential of a top national defensive line now & in the future
Feb. 07, 2020, | GCF Staff Report
South Carolina defensive lineman Javon Kinlaw probably inspired some fear in his time in garnet and black. Kinlaw imposing figure, at 6-foot-6 and 300 pounds, was a beast of quickness and power ripping past and offensive lineman and bearing down on quarterbacks, which scared some folks. But what does it take for him to invoke the word “scary”? Talents of some of his young teammates, notably former top-10 national recruit Zacch Pickens. (VIEW ARTICLE)

Early look at South Carolina Gamecocks 2020 football schedule
Jan. 24, 2020, | GCF Staff Report
In perhaps the most important season for Muschamp survivor here at South Carolina are wins, wins and wins! They are must for Muschamp to have a extended stay at South Carolina. "The road ahead is daulting for Muschamp and the Gamecocks in 2020." (VIEW ARTICLE)

Projecting Gamecock depth chart ahead of 2020 spring practice
Projecting South Carolina’s depth chart ahead of 2020 spring practice The Gamecocks football team lost a slew of players off the two-deep following the 2019 season. They just added 10 scholarship players as early enrollees and will hit the field again starting Feb. 26 for spring practice. Here’s a look at how the depth chart might come together when that starts up again.
QUARTERBACK
RUNNING BACK
WIDE RECEIVERS
TIGHT END/FULLBACK
Comment: Hilinski remains the returning starter, and Hill is too seasoned to not at least be at the No. 2 spot. Doty coming in gives him a chance to compete, and the team doesn’t have and full-time scholarship QBs after that. That said, Hill is unlikely to participate in spring as he recovers from a torn ACL.
Comment: This might be cheating a little as coaching staffs often put veterans with the starters in the first few days as a nod to seniority. At the moment, no one is proven enough to be 100 percent slotted in, and Lloyd probably has the highest ceiling. This spring will be big for Harris and Fenwick in establishing themselves as each as shown flashes, but they’ll also be battling three newcomers for carries in Lloyd, freshman Rashad Amos and a third runner the staff plans to add.
Comment: Legette held a big enough role last year, so he probably gets the nod. OrTre Smith will be another year healthier off knee surgery for a genetic condition. Shi Smith is pretty established as a starter. Vann might be close to pushing for a starting spot after beginning last year with one, and Joyner got a decent number of snaps there last year despite being quite green. Urich still needs to get more seasoned after moving from QB, and Terrell and Mullins both have ability but haven’t shown a ton yet.
Comment: The arrival of Prentice adds a second experienced player beside Muse, who is two months removed from a torn ACL. Muse looks to be the starter, but that knee means spring practice might not be in the cards. Prentice can do a little bit of everything and already knows the Mike Bobo offense. If Muse can’t go, it means more work for Kenion and Toney, who both got in a few snaps as they took redshirts last season.
No. 1 Ryan Hilinski
No. 1 MarShawn Lloyd
No. 1 Shi Smith, OrTre Smith, Xavier Legette
No. 1 Nick Muse, Adam Prentice
No. 2 Collin Hill (Injured)
No. 2 Kevin Harris
No. 2 Josh Vann, Randrecous Davis, Dakereon Joyner
No. 2 Traevon Kenion, KeShawn Toney
No. 3 Luke Doty
No. 3 Deshaun Fenwick
No. 3 Chad Terrell, Keveon Mullins, Mike Wyman, Jay Urich
OFFENSIVE TACKLE
OFFENSIVE GUARD
CENTER
Comment: Wonnum is entering his third year starting and could be in line to go to the left tackle. Moore impressed coaches enough down the stretch that they moved Sadarius Hutcherson back inside for the final game. Nichols also showed promise through last spring and in starting four games, but he had some freshman moments in pass protection. Turnetine is as big as a house and junior college players are generally brought in to contribute quickly. This group will have a lot of options and could shake out in a few different ways.
Comment: This is a spot where things start to get interesting. Hutcherson bouncing back inside against Clemson might be a sign of things to come. That would bump down one of two returning starters in Gwyn or Rhodes, with Gwyn having a little longer of a track record. Douglas started the opener last year before getting benched, and he’s still a utility guy for the front. There are a few other guys who could step up depending on development.
Comment: Manos seemed to be in a good position here at the start of last season, but a disastrous first game and then an injury kept him out of the lineup most of the rest of the way. Murphy was a player with some promise and leadership and has the build of a center. It’s also possible one of the players with a guard body type slides over, as position coach Eric Wolford prefers to cross-train most of his players.
No. 1 Jakai Moore, Dylan Wonnum
No. 1 Jovaughn Gwyn, Sadarius Hutcherson
No.1 Vincent Murphy
No. 2 Jazston Turnetine, Jaylen Nichols
No. 3 Eric Douglas
No. 2 Jordan Rhodes, Eric Douglas
No.2 Hank Manos
BUCK DEFENSIVE END
DEFENSIVE END
DEFENSIVE TACKLE
MIDDLE LINEBACKER
Comment: Gone are veteran stalwarts D.J. Wonnum and Daniel Fennell. Johnson has been a steady presence when healthy but not a high-end pass rusher. Fitten played a little as a redshirting freshman. There might be more help to come, but a lot could be asked of these two.
Comment: This is possibly the most sturdy position on the roster. Both Enagbare and Sterling were good rotation players last season. Joseph Anderson was a four-star who redshirted, but he should kick in either here or at tackle.
Comment: This spot might be a little thinner at the moment with three freshmen, Jordan Burch, Makius Scott, and Alex Huntley, still not yet enrolled. Pickens played a decent amount last year as a five-star freshman. Thomas is a veteran coming off an injury. Those two plus Sandidge are likely the top group. Ellis played some last season, while Davis missed the whole year with a foot injury.
Comment: Jones held down this spot relatively well last season, so unless the staff wants to move him to weakside (as they did with T.J. Brunson), he might stay here. Greene is now a senior and can play almost any spot. Louis is a big guy who has yet to find a permanent home.
No. 1 Brad Johnson
No. 1 Kingsley Enagbare
No. 1 Zacch Pickens, Keir Thomas
No. 1 Ernest Jones
No. 2 Rodricus Fitten
No. 2 Aaron Sterling
No. 2 Rick Sandidge, Jabari Ellis
No. 2 Sherrod Greene
No. 3 Devontae Davis
No. 3 Rosendo Louis Jr.
WEAKSIDE LINEBACKER
STRONGSIDE LINEBACKER
CORNER
NICKEL
Comment: Brown flashed last season, making six tackles and forcing a fumble. His potential and speed should be enough to hold off Staley, a steady backup who can help at several spots. Kaba has a lot of athleticism, and at his height, might have the mobility to work here. He did tear his ACL early last season, so it’s not yet clear if he’ll be able to go in spring.
Comment: Greene played this position well enough to make it a de facto starting role. It remains to be seen if he ends up getting more work at the weakside spot, but he at least made this work last year. Louis has some size that could benefit on the edge, and Kaba is a taller type of player who could perhaps fit this mold as well.
Comment: Horn and Mukuamu held the spot down last year. Change is doubtful unless Mukuamu is needed full-time at safety or a younger player stepping up allows for that. Dixon got work early but that faded, and Smith ended up taking a redshirt. Either of them could help create more flexibility. Fortune and Hill will both be getting their feet wet in their first college action.
Comment: South Carolina has started freshmen in three consecutive seasons at this spot, so the final option might be just getting his feet wet or not yet on the roster. That said, Robinson played here much of last season, and Roderick has some ability to add bulk in the box. In the end, USC will move around its five best guys, but developing depth has been a challenge the past few seasons.
No. 1 Jahmar Brown
No. 1 Sherrod Greene
No. 1 Israel Mukuamu, Jaycee Horn
No. 1 Jammie Robinson
No. 2 Damani Staley
No. 2 Rosendo Louis
No. 2 Cam Smith, John Dixon
No. 2 R.J. Roderick
No. 3 Mohamed Kaba
No. 3 Mohamed Kaba
No. 3 O’Donnell Fortune, Dominick Hill
SAFETY
Comment: Roderick and Robinson are far and away the most seasoned players and shared this spot for chunks of last year, when the team had only four defensive backs on the field. One or both likely play some nickel. Dickerson needs to get healthy, but he’s always had potential. Mukuamu has the build for the position and some background playing it. Sanders sat most of last season.
No. 1 R.J. Roderick, Jammie Robinson
No. 2 Jaylin Dickerson, Israel Mukuamu
No. 3 Shilo Sanders

Tanner Muse gives latest on his brother, Gamecock tight end
Jan. 13, 2020
Gamecock tight end Nick Muse isn’t off crutches yet following his torn ACL, but he is moving around the country some. Saturday he was on his way from the Carolinas to New Orleans to watch his brother, Tanner, and Clemson face LSU for a national title. Saturday morning, the older brother gave a little update.
“He’s on crutches still,” Tanner Muse said. “(He will) need them another week or so, the crutches, and then they’ll be off. But he’s still good. He’s with his parents. The guy is back home with mom and dad to take care of him, so he’s living the dream.”
Nick Muse, spent his first two seasons at William and Mary before transferring to the Gamecocks this summer. He was granted immediate eligibility by the NCAA after South Carolina’s first game.
He rose to the role of No. 2 tight end at a thin position before tearing an ACL late in the season. With Kyle Markway choosing to forego his sixth year of eligibility, Muse heads into 2020 as the starter. Muse posted 158 yards on 17 catches in 2019.

Former Ram plans to bring his physicality to Gamecocks
Jan. 07, 2020, | sportstalk
New USC offensive coordinator Mike Bobo subscribes to a form of old-school football that allowed his teams at Georgia, when he was offensive coordinator, to average over 40 points per game on occasion. Most recently as head coach at Colorado State, four of his five teams averaged over 28 points per game. Bobo likes to throw the football. Last season Colorado State averaged 305 passing yards per game. But he also likes a bruising running game with a strong blocking fullback/tight end combination, something that was lacking on the roster. But no longer.
Former Colorado State fullback/tight end Adam Prentice (6-0 240) announced last week his plans to transfer to USC for his final season. The native of Fresno, CA spent five years at CSU, and he was ready for a new challenge after Bobo was fired and landed in Columbia.
“It being my last year, my sixth year, and I had graduated from CSU and I finished my time there, and I wanted to to explore my options and take advantage of the opportunity I had to explore a new place and get a new experience while I still can,” Prentice said. “When I decided that I wanted to explore my options, I put my name in the portal and gave coach (Bobo) a call and went looking for advice, how I should go about my next steps and try to find that next place to play. He said well, you can come play here, we could use you. I jumped at that at a heartbeat.”
Prentice will join former Ram quarterback Collin Hill as transfers to USC. He will walk-on this spring, enrolling in school this week, with plans to go on scholarship in the fall. And he said that’s all worth it given the chance to play another season in an offense and coach that fits him.
“I just love the aggressive style of offense he runs,” Pernice said. “He runs the ball in different ways, different formations, difference packages, different ways he executes that offense. I love the physicality that he tries to impose in that offense, the aggressiveness and explosiveness. I’ve been in that offense for five years and I’ll be able to finish in that offense. And with my new teammates and my new team, it’s really exciting.”
Prentice didn’t touch the ball much the last three seasons at CSU. He totaled 18 rushes for 35 yards and 18 catches for 115 yards. Yet, he was as important as any skill position player in that offense.
“I was kind of like that second tight end, wing guy,” Prentice said. “I lined up in the backfield. Couple of times I was put out at receiver. Little bit of everywhere, a utility guy that fits in where the play needs to be and execute my job from there. I love blocking. That’s the name of my position in my opinion, and I love doing that. I’m fully aware 95% of my duties will be blocking, and that’s perfectly fine with me.”

Transfer QB Collin Hill talks expectations in QB competition
Dec. 30, 2019, |GCF Staff Report
In the short term, new Gamecock quarterback Collin Hill is focused on getting healthy. He is now just three months removed from surgery to repair his third torn ACL, which will for the moat part will keep him out for spring practice or maybe a slight chance of limit time. When he comes back full-go in the summer, the former Dorman High School star and Colorado State transfer plans to compete to play. (VIEW ARTICLE)

South Carolina bound? Mike Bobo's former Colorado State QB enters NCAA transfer portal
Dec. 19, 2019
QB Collin Hill just announced he is leaving Colorado State. Why is that news to Gamecock Nation? He knows Mike Bobo’s offense better than any player in Columbia at the moment. The former Ram quarterback is also a graduate, meaning he will be eligible to play immediately next season.
What you need to know stats wise:
In three years on the field at Colorado State, Hill completed 60.7 percent of his passes with 3,323 yards with 23 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. Hill was named a team captain for the 2018 season but later suffered an ACL injury.
In two different games, Hill has managed to throw four touchdown passes in a game. Against Western Illinois, Hill once threw for 351 yards in the first half of a game.
Before signing with Colorado State, Hill played his high school football at Dorman High School in Moore, South Carolina. Hill holds the Dorman school-records for career touchdown passes, completion percentage and passing yards in a season and career.

There are 9 teams that made it to bowls this year. 3 against ACC, 3 against Big 12, and 3 against Big 10. Part of why our schedule is always so tough. We played 6 of them and got to face 6 next year too.
I think conf. will go 8-1 with Miss St losing to Louisville. How do you think we will fair?

South Carolina’s all-decade football team: Connor Shaw, Clowney and who else?
Dec. 24, 2019
We pick the best of the best for South Carolina football from the 2010-19 seasons.
OFFENSE
QB: Connor Shaw
The numbers: Threw for 6,074 yards, 56 touchdowns and 16 interceptions. He won a record 26 games as a starting QB. (VIEW ARTICLE) THE STATE

DL Javon Kinlaw named AP first-team All-American
Dec. 16, 2019
Gamecock star defensive lineman Javon Kinlaw has picked up the biggest honor of his career yet, getting named to the first team of the Associated Press’s All-American squad on Monday.
A defensive tackle out of Charleston, Kinlaw exploded up NFL draft boards with a standout senior year. A midseason AP All-American as well, he recorded 35 tackles with six sacks, a top-10 mark in the SEC, and two fumble recoveries, a team best, while generating consistent pressure in the middle of the line.
Last week, Kinlaw was named a second-team All-American by USA Today and The Athletic. He was also selected as a second-team All-SEC player by the media and first-team All-SEC by the league’s coaches.
All told, the Gamecocks have had four consensus All-Americans in program history — Jadeveon Clowney, Melvin Ingram, George Rodgers and Del Wilkes.